Post Office investigator denies behaving like ‘Mafia gangster’ over Horizon scandal

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On an extraordinary day of evidence, Mr Bradshaw, who was involved in nine prosecutions: Admitted a signed 2012 statement that said he had “full confidence” in Horizon was written by lawyers hired by the organisation Claimed he was not “technically minded” and was not equipped to know whether there were bugs or errors in the system Insisted investigations had been done correctly – and that there had been no reason to suspect anything wrong Maintained he was a “small cog” as he suggested lawyers were to blame for evidence about Horizon flaws not being disclosed Admitted it was “probably not” acceptable to accept a guilty plea from a subpostmaster on the basis they did not “blame Horizon” The inquiry heard a statement by Jacqueline McDonald, who said she was “bullied” by Mr Bradshaw during a probe into her alleged shortfall. open image in gallery Post Office investigator Stephen Bradshaw arrives at public inquiry In reponse, Mr Bradshaw said: “I refute the allegation that I am a liar.” He added: “I also refute the claim that Jacqueline McDonald was bullied … Ms Jacqueline McDonald is also incorrect in stating Post Office investigators behaved like mafia gangsters looking to collect their bounty with the threats and lies.” But he admitted that it was “probably not” acceptable to offer a plea deal to falsely accused subpostmasters provided they did not blame the software. Asked by the inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams if it was appropriate for the Post Office to say, “We will accept your plea, but only if you don’t blame Horizon,” Mr Bradshaw said: “Probably not.” He has also been accused by subpostmistress Rita Threlfall of asking about her eye colour and what jewellery she wore before saying: “Good, so we’ve got a description of you for when they come.” Subpostmistress who ‘lost everything’ in Horizon scandal says compensation ‘won’t cut it’ Mr Bradshaw – employed by the Post Office since 1978 – had earlier told the inquiry he was not “technically minded” enough to know whether there were bugs or errors in the Horizon system. Questioned over whether his department had been “drenched” in information about Horizon not working, Mr Bradshaw replied: “The information came through, yes.” He also said a 2012 statement signed by him declaring the Post Office’s “absolute confidence” in the Horizon IT system had been written by law firm Cartwright King.